Volunteer Cathy Hegre: Food pantry rewarding

February 2, 2009

Cathy Hegre began volunteering at the Our Lady of Grace food pantry in Minot about eight years ago. She started by answering a call for needed volunteers through her church, and stayed because she enjoyed the work.

"I like helping out the people that come in, who are in need. Working with the other people at the pantry here is also very rewarding. It gives you a good feeling just to be able to help out people that need it," Hegre said.

Hegre has been volunteering with two others, Cris Woiwode and Marge Arnold, on the same days each month. The three make quite a team, working together to meet an increasing demand.

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Katina Tengesdal/MDN •

Cathy Hegre, volunteer for Our Lady of Grace food pantry, does bookwork at her desk.

"It works well with the three of us working together back here, along with a coordinator who helps keep all the bags filled. We've been working together at the same time, and it's nice to work that way. Each one has their specific job," Cris Woiwode said.

"We try very hard to treat the people that come with respect, and we each have our job. We couldn't do the books without Cathy!" Arnold said.

Hegre's function has been to keep the books updated, and a new system was introduced in the past couple of months. Individuals visiting the pantry now must show an ID card, which helps with privacy they don't have to say their names so those standing behind them can hear. Individuals show their ID, sign a card, and Hegre files the cards and records information in the books.

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"It (the bookkeeping system) helps to keep everything right, and it keeps the program running smoothly," Hegre said.

Lately, the three volunteers have noticed an increase in the number of people visiting the pantry.

"We have a pretty high demand. Today, for the first hour, it was really steady. Last time, we only had two little breaks of five minutes each," Arnold said.

For the volunteers, though, the work is worth it.

"You're doing something good. It's something you want to do, not just something you feel you have to do," Hegre said.